Background information on codex and CCAfrica
The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) is a joint Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) Food Standards Program responsible for formulating standards, codes of practice, guidelines and recommendations that constitute the Codex Alimentarius.
Over the years, the Codex Alimentarius has become an important global reference point for consumers, food producers and processors, national food control agencies, and all those involved in the international food trade. It is also a reference point for the World Trade Organization (WTO) and also use to settle trade disputes between member countries.
The Gambia has become a member of Codex Alimentarius Commission in 1971 and the Codex Contact Point (CCP) and the National Codex Committee (NCC) were set up in 2005. The NCC spearheaded the development of the Food Safety and Quality Act 2011 and the establishment of the Food Safety and Quality Authority (FSQA).
Following the enactment of the Food Safety and Quality Act 2011 and the establishment of the Food Safety and Quality Authority (FSQA), the Codex Contact Point was relocated to the FSQA in September 2015 with a total National Codex Committee (CCP) membership of 10.
The ‘Coordinating Committee for Africa’ was established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission in 1972 with a mandate to “exercise general coordination in the preparation of standards relating to the region of Africa”. The committee held its first meeting at FAO in 1974, with 19 countries in attendance. The total membership of CCAfrican is 49 member state. The regional coordinator is based in the Uganda National Bureau of Standards
The Gambia became a member of Coordinating Committee for Africa (CCAfrica) in……. and has since been participating in activities of CCAfrica.
Importance of codex standard to the country
Gambia make reference when harmonizing national food standards with the international codex standards.
Currently Gambia has adopted over 30 Codex standards as national standard to facilitate trade and to protect the health of consumers.
The country can use Codex standards through Authority to formulate technical regulations aimed at protecting public health and facilitating trade; The Gambia can use Codex Standards as basis to challenge trade restrictive law set by other members states of WTO.;
Codex Contact Point (CCP) Managers
The CCP manager is appointed by the Authority and assisted by the Deputy CCP Manager who are responsible for managing the work of Codex in The Gambia and act as the link between The Gambia and the Codex Secretariat in Rome; receive all Codex final texts (standards, codes of practice, guidelines and other advisory texts) and working documents of Codex Sessions and ensure that these are circulated to those concerned within the country.
National Codex Committee (NCC) Members
The NCC comprises of senior level designates of the below listed institutions.
- National Nutrition Agency (NaNA)
- Ministry of Trade Industry and Regional Integration and Employment (MOTIE)
- Ministry of Fisheries and Water Resources
- The Gambia Standards Bureau (TGSB)
- Department of Livestock Services (DLS)
- National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI)
- Plant Protection Services (PPS)
- Consumer Protection Association of The Gambia (CPAG)
- Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI)
- Ministry of Health (MOH)
The Chairmanship of the Committee is with Malang Fofana, the Executive Director of National Nutrition Agency NaNA).
Technical Committees
The members of the Technical Sub-Committees is designated by the NCC following its decision on the technical areas determined to be of relevance and priority to the country. Below are the Technical committee established based on areas of priority
- Food Additives
- Food Hygiene
- Food Import and Export Certification System
- Food Labelling
- Contamination in Food
- Veterinary Drugs
- Pesticides Residues
Call for comment on Codex working document
This part shall be provided by Lalia A. Jawara, Principal Scientific Officer anytime there is a call for commenting.
Achievements Since 2015
The Gambia has immensely benefited from the Codex process in the following:
- FSQA has participates in the 42 session of Codex Alimentarius Commission held in Geneva 2019.
- The Gambia Lunched its National Codex Committee in December 2020.
- FSQA has undergone National sensitization on the importance of Codex Alimentarius and the role and responsibility of FSQA in codex activities.
